Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A BUILDING FACILITY WATER MANAGEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a building facility water
management method
and system.
Background
[0002] Building facilities may include office buildings, hotels, motels,
resorts, warehouse
facilities, storage facilities, shopping malls, airports and the like.
[0003] In general, water control devices are devices that are used to provide
water in a
controlled manner using one or more operational parameters such as, for
example, volume, flow
rate, on/off timings etc. Water control devices may be connected to a water
source to enable
those devices to function as desired. These water control devices may be, for
example, "end of
line" plumbing fixtures such as tap ware, urinals, cisterns, showers, toilets,
baths, bidets. The
water control devices may also be water heater systems, water cooling towers
etc.
[0004] For example, water control devices may be used in, or connected to, one
or more
environments or areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, restrooms, toilets and the
like. For
example, bathrooms, restrooms, toilets etc. may be referred to as "sanitary
facilities". A building
facility may have one or more of these environments or areas. Each environment
or area may
be spread out over a large area and/or over two or more floors or levels.
[0005] As a specific example, the water control devices may be bathroom or
restroom
products in a sanitary facility, or water control devices that are associated
with a sanitary facility.
These may include baths, urinals, basins, shower heads, taps, toilets, bidets,
water heater
systems and water cooling towers for example. In general, each water control
device (product)
in a sanitary facility, or associated with a sanitary facility, may be
referred to as a "sanitary
installation".
[0006] PCT publication W02016/040989 by the present applicants entitled "Water
Management System And Method" describes a system and method for controlling
water control
devices and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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[0007] Water operations for the water control devices may operate on a fixed
time operation
using a water valve. However, the volume of water that is passed by the valve
during the water
operation may vary depending on a number of factors.
[0008] For example, the volume of water used during a flush can vary due to
water pressure
variations in the water supply.
[0009] Further, faults, such as blockages or leakages, in the water supply can
result in a
reduction in pressure and/or flow rate and so a reduction occurs in the volume
of water used
during a water operation.
[0010] Further, this problem may be exacerbated when water control devices are
arranged to
operate in different modes of operation.
[0011] Further, different types and designs within types of water control
devices may require
different volumes of water, flow rates and different water pressures in order
to operate
effectively (i.e. safely and/or efficiently and/or within set Standards).
Summary
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or
at least ameliorate,
one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements.
[0013] Disclosed are arrangements which seek to address the problems
associated with the
provision of water to water control devices to enable effective operation of
those water control
devices.
[0014] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a building facility
water management method for controlling at least one operational parameter
associated with a
volume of water used by a water control device during a device operation of
the water control
device in a building facility, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a
water operation
value associated with a volume of water for the water control device during
the device
operation; determining whether the water operation value is outside of a
defined threshold
associated with the device operation; upon a determination that the water
operation value is
outside of the defined threshold, adjusting an operational parameter
associated with the water
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control device during the device operation to enable the water control device
to be effectively
operated.
[0015] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a building
facility water management system for controlling at least one operational
parameter associated
with a volume of water used by a water control device during a device
operation of the water
control device in a building facility, the system comprising at least one
water control device and
at least one controller, wherein the controller is arranged to: obtain a water
operation value
associated with a volume of water for the water control device during the
device operation;
determine whether the water operation value is outside of a defined threshold
associated with
the device operation; upon a determination that the water operation value is
outside of the
defined threshold, adjust an operational parameter associated with the water
control device
during the device operation to enable the water control device to be
effectively operated.
[0016] Other aspects are also disclosed.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] At least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described
with reference
to the drawings and appendices, in which:
[0018] Figs. 1A and 1B form a schematic block diagram of a general-purpose
computer
system upon which arrangements described can be practiced;
[0019] Figs. 2A and 2B collectively form a schematic block diagram
representation of an
embedded electronic device upon which described arrangements can be practised;
[0020] Figs. 3A to 3F show example network configurations upon which describe
arrangements
can be practised;
[0021] Fig. 4 shows an example water control device schematic diagram in
accordance with a
described embodiment;
[0022] Fig. 5 shows a controller of a water control device in accordance with
a described
embodiment;
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[0023] Figs. 6A and 6B show examples of how a toilet flush operation may be
controlled in
accordance with a described embodiment;
[0024] Figs. 7A and 7B show examples of how a toilet cleanse operation may be
controlled in
accordance with a described embodiment;
[0025] Fig. 8 shows an example of a flow rate profile in accordance with the
herein disclosure;
[0026] Fig. 9 shows an example of a control method in accordance with the
herein disclosure.
Detailed Description including Best Mode
[0027] A building facility water management system for controlling at least
one operational
parameter associated with a volume of water used by a water control device
during a device
operation in a building facility is now described along with an associated
method. The system
has at least one water control device and at least one controller.
[0028] Figs. 1A and 1B depict a general-purpose computer system 100, upon
which various
arrangements described herein may be practiced.
[0029] As seen in Fig. 1A, the typical computer system 100 includes: a
computer module 101;
input devices such as a keyboard 102, a mouse pointer device 103, a scanner
126, a
camera 127, and a microphone 180; and output devices including a printer 115,
a display
device 114 and loudspeakers 117. Further, one or more water control devices as
described
herein may be connected via the I/O Interface 113. Further, one or more
electronic devices as
described herein may be connected via the I/O Interface 113. Further, a
building management
system may be connected via the I/O Interface 113. Further, one or more water
control devices
as described herein may be connected via the I/O Interface 113. Further, one
or more
intermediate processing devices may be connected via the I/O interface 113.
Further an
external Modulator-Demodulator (Modem) transceiver device 116 may be used by
the computer
module 101 for communicating to and from a communications network 120 via a
connection 121. The communications network 120 may be a wide-area network
(WAN), such
as the Internet, a cellular telecommunications network, or a private WAN.
Where the
connection 121 is a telephone line, the modem 116 may be a traditional "dial-
up" modem.
Alternatively, where the connection 121 is a high capacity (e.g., cable)
connection, the
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modem 116 may be a broadband modem. A wireless modem may also be used for
wireless
connection to the communications network 120.
[0030] The computer module 101 typically includes at least one processor unit
105, and a
memory unit 106. For example, the memory unit 106 may have semiconductor
random access
memory (RAM) and semiconductor read only memory (ROM). The computer module 101
also
includes an number of input/output (I/O) interfaces including: an audio-video
interface 107 that
couples to the video display 114, loudspeakers 117 and microphone 180; an I/O
interface 113
that couples to the keyboard 102, mouse 103, scanner 126, camera 127 and
optionally a
joystick, touchscreen, voice recognition system or other human interface
device (not illustrated);
and an interface 108 for the external modem 116 and printer 115. In some
implementations,
the modem 116 may be incorporated within the computer module 101, for example
within the
interface 108. The computer module 101 also has a local network interface 111,
which permits
coupling of the computer system 100 via a connection 123 to a local-area
communications
network 122, known as a Local Area Network (LAN). As illustrated in Fig. 1A,
the local
communications network 122 may also couple to the wide network 120 via a
connection 124,
which would typically include a so-called "firewall" device or device of
similar functionality. The
local network interface 111 may comprise an Ethernet circuit card, a Bluetooth
wireless
arrangement or an IEEE 802.11 wireless arrangement; however, numerous other
types of
interfaces may be practiced for the interface 111.
[0031] The local communications network 122 and/or the wide area
communications network
120 may communicate with one or more controllers of water control devices as
described
herein. Further, the local communications network 122 and/or the wide area
communications
network 120 may communicate with other computing systems 100, electronic
devices 201
(described below), Building Management Systems (BMS) etc.
[0032] The I/O interfaces 108 and 113 may afford either or both of serial and
parallel
connectivity, the former typically being implemented according to the
Universal Serial Bus
(USB) standards and having corresponding USB connectors (not illustrated).
Storage
devices 109 are provided and typically include a hard disk drive (HDD) 110.
Other storage
devices such as a floppy disk drive and a magnetic tape drive (not
illustrated) may also be used.
An optical disk drive 112 is typically provided to act as a non-volatile
source of data. Portable
memory devices, such optical disks (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray DiscTm), USB-
RAM, portable,
external hard drives, and floppy disks, for example, may be used as
appropriate sources of data
to the computer system 100.
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[0033] The components 105 to 113 of the computer module 101 typically
communicate via an
interconnected bus 104 and in a manner that results in a conventional mode of
operation of the
computer system 100 known to those in the relevant art. For example, the
processor 105 is
coupled to the system bus 104 using a connection 118. Likewise, the memory 106
and optical
disk drive 112 are coupled to the system bus 104 by connections 119. Examples
of computers
on which the described arrangements can be practised include IBM-PC's and
compatibles,
Apple MacTM or a like computer systems.
[0034] The herein described computer may be, for example, configured as a
server connected
to the Internet and arranged to receive data in the form of instructions and
information from
other computers, electronic devices and water control devices connected to the
server via the
Internet. For example, the server may be connected to a local area network
(LAN) or a wide
area network (WAN). Access to the server may be by direct connection via the
Internet or via
other networks, such as LANs and WANs. The server may be configured to perform
one or
more of the various methods described herein for controlling one or more water
control devices.
[0035] The herein described computer may be, for example, a building
management computer
forming part of a building management system (BMS) for controlling operations
of a building.
The building management system may form part of or be in communication with
the building
facility water management system described herein. The building management
computer may
communicate with the building management system, the building facility water
management
system and their components using any suitable communication protocols. The
building
management computer may be configured to perform one or more of the various
building facility
water management methods described herein for controlling one or more water
control devices.
[0036] The building management system (BMS) may use standard BMS protocols
such as
BACnet, LON etc to communicate with other devices or components in the
building facility water
management system.
[0037] The herein described computer may be, for example, a personal computer
or laptop
forming part of a building management system for controlling operations of a
building. The
building management system may form part of or be in communication with the
building facility
water management system described herein. The personal computer or laptop may
communicate with the building management system, the building facility water
management
system and their components using any suitable communication protocols. The
personal
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computer or laptop may be configured to perform one or more of the various
building facility
water management methods described herein for controlling one or more water
control devices.
[0038] One or more of the methods as described herein may be implemented using
the
computer system 100 wherein the processes described herein, may be implemented
as one or
more software application programs ("software") 133 executable within the
computer
system 100. For example, the steps of these processes may be effected by
instructions 131
(see Fig. 1B) in the software 133 that are carried out within the computer
system 100. The
software instructions 131 may be formed as one or more code modules, each for
performing
one or more particular tasks. The software may also be divided into two
separate parts, in
which a first part and the corresponding code modules performs the herein
described methods
and a second part and the corresponding code modules manage a user interface
between the
first part and the user.
[0039] The software may be stored in a computer readable medium, including the
storage
devices described below, for example. The software is loaded into the computer
system 100
from the computer readable medium, and then executed by the computer system
100. A
computer readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on
the
computer readable medium is a computer program product. The use of the
software in the
computer system 100 preferably effects an advantageous apparatus or system for
managing
water control devices. Further, the software may also be used to implement an
artificial
intelligence (Al) and/or machine learning (ML) system to perform the methods
for managing
water control devices as described herein.
[0040] The software 133 is typically stored in the HDD 110 or the memory 106.
The software
is loaded into the computer system 100 from a computer readable medium and
executed by the
computer system 100. Thus, for example, the software 133 may be stored on an
optically
readable disk storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM) 125 that is read by the optical
disk drive 112. A
computer readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on
it is a
computer program product. The use of the computer program product in the
computer
system 100 preferably effects an apparatus for managing water control devices.
[0041] In some instances, the software 133 may be supplied to the user encoded
on one or
more CD-ROMs 125 and read via the corresponding drive 112, or alternatively
may be read by
the user from the networks 120 or 122. Still further, the software can also be
loaded into the
computer system 100 from other computer readable media. Computer readable
storage media
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refers to any non-transitory tangible storage medium that provides recorded
instructions and/or
data to the computer system 100 for execution and/or processing. Examples of
such storage
media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, DVD, BIu-rayTM Disc, a hard
disk drive, a
ROM or integrated circuit, USB memory, a magneto-optical disk, or a computer
readable card
such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are internal
or external of the
computer module 101. Examples of transitory or non-tangible computer readable
transmission
media that may also participate in the provision of software, application
programs, instructions
and/or data to the computer module 101 include radio or infra-red transmission
channels as well
as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the
Internet or Intranets
including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on websites and the
like.
[0042] The second part of the software 133 and the corresponding code modules
mentioned
above may be executed to implement one or more graphical user interfaces
(GUIs) to be
rendered or otherwise represented upon the display 114. Through manipulation
of typically the
keyboard 102 and the mouse 103, a user of the computer system 100 and the
application may
manipulate the interface in a functionally adaptable manner to provide
controlling commands
and/or input to the applications associated with the GUI(s). Other forms of
functionally
adaptable user interfaces may also be implemented, such as an audio interface
utilizing speech
prompts output via the loudspeakers 117 and user voice commands input via the
microphone 180.
[0043] Fig. 1B is a detailed schematic block diagram of the processor 105 and
a
"memory" 134. The memory 134 represents a logical aggregation of all the
memory modules
(including the HDD 109 and semiconductor memory 106) that can be accessed by
the computer
module 101 in Fig. 1A.
[0044] When the computer module 101 is initially powered up, a power-on self-
test (POST)
program 150 executes. The POST program 150 is typically stored in a ROM 149 of
the
semiconductor memory 106 of Fig. 1A. A hardware device such as the ROM 149
storing
software is sometimes referred to as firmware. The POST program 150 examines
hardware
within the computer module 101 to ensure proper functioning and typically
checks the
processor 105, the memory 134 (109, 106), and a basic input-output systems
software (BIOS)
module 151, also typically stored in the ROM 149, for correct operation. Once
the POST
program 150 has run successfully, the BIOS 151 activates the hard disk drive
110 of Fig. 1A.
Activation of the hard disk drive 110 causes a bootstrap loader program 152
that is resident on
the hard disk drive 110 to execute via the processor 105. This loads an
operating system 153
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into the RAM memory 106, upon which the operating system 153 commences
operation. The
operating system 153 is a system level application, executable by the
processor 105, to fulfil
various high level functions, including processor management, memory
management, device
management, storage management, software application interface, and generic
user interface.
[0045] The operating system 153 manages the memory 134 (109, 106) to ensure
that each
process or application running on the computer module 101 has sufficient
memory in which to
execute without colliding with memory allocated to another process.
Furthermore, the different
types of memory available in the system 100 of Fig. 1A must be used properly
so that each
process can run effectively. Accordingly, the aggregated memory 134 is not
intended to
illustrate how particular segments of memory are allocated (unless otherwise
stated), but rather
to provide a general view of the memory accessible by the computer system 100
and how such
is used.
[0046] As shown in Fig. 1B, the processor 105 includes a number of functional
modules
including a control unit 139, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 140, and a local
or internal
memory 148, sometimes called a cache memory. The cache memory 148 typically
includes a
number of storage registers 144 - 146 in a register section. One or more
internal busses 141
functionally interconnect these functional modules. The processor 105
typically also has one or
more interfaces 142 for communicating with external devices via the system bus
104, using a
connection 118. The memory 134 is coupled to the bus 104 using a connection
119.
[0047] The software 133 includes a sequence of instructions 131 that may
include conditional
branch and loop instructions. The software 133 may also include data 132 which
is used in
execution of the software 133. The instructions 131 and the data 132 are
stored in memory
locations 128, 129, 130 and 135, 136, 137, respectively. Depending upon the
relative size of
the instructions 131 and the memory locations 128-130, a particular
instruction may be stored in
a single memory location as depicted by the instruction shown in the memory
location 130.
Alternately, an instruction may be segmented into a number of parts each of
which is stored in a
separate memory location, as depicted by the instruction segments shown in the
memory
locations 128 and 129.
[0048] In general, the processor 105 is given a set of instructions which are
executed therein.
The processor 1105 waits for a subsequent input, to which the processor 105
reacts to by
executing another set of instructions. Each input may be provided from one or
more of a
number of sources, including data generated by one or more of the input
devices 102, 103, data
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received from an external source across one of the networks 120, 102, data
retrieved from one
of the storage devices 106, 109 or data retrieved from a storage medium 125
inserted into the
corresponding reader 112, all depicted in Fig. 1A. The execution of a set of
the instructions
may in some cases result in output of data. Execution may also involve storing
data or
variables to the memory 134.
[0049] The disclosed water management arrangements use input variables 154,
which are
stored in the memory 134 in corresponding memory locations 155, 156, 157. The
water
management arrangements produce output variables 161, which are stored in the
memory 134
in corresponding memory locations 162, 163, 164. Intermediate variables 158
may be stored in
memory locations 159, 160, 166 and 167.
[0050] Referring to the processor 105 of Fig. 1B, the registers 144, 145, 146,
the arithmetic
logic unit (ALU) 140, and the control unit 139 work together to perform
sequences of micro-
operations needed to perform "fetch, decode, and execute" cycles for every
instruction in the
instruction set making up the software 133. Each fetch, decode, and execute
cycle comprises:
[0051] a fetch operation, which fetches or reads an instruction 131 from a
memory
location 128, 129, 130;
[0052] a decode operation in which the control unit 139 determines which
instruction has been
fetched; and
[0053] an execute operation in which the control unit 139 and/or the ALU 140
execute the
instruction.
[0054] Thereafter, a further fetch, decode, and execute cycle for the next
instruction may be
executed. Similarly, a store cycle may be performed by which the control unit
139 stores or
writes a value to a memory location 132.
[0055] Each step or sub-process in the processes described herein may be
associated with
one or more segments of the software 133 and is performed by the register
section 144,
145, 147, the ALU 140, and the control unit 139 in the processor 105 working
together to
perform the fetch, decode, and execute cycles for every instruction in the
instruction set for the
noted segments of the software 133.
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[0056] The methods of water management may alternatively be implemented in
dedicated
hardware such as one or more integrated circuits performing the functions or
sub functions of
water management. Such dedicated hardware may include graphic processors,
digital signal
processors, or one or more microprocessors and associated memories.
[0057] Figs. 2A and 2B collectively form a schematic block diagram of a
general-purpose
electronic device 201 including embedded components, upon which the water
management
methods described herein are practiced. The embedded electronic device 201 may
be, for
example, a mobile phone, a tablet device, a smart watch, personal digital
assistant type device
or any other embedded electronic device, in which processing resources may be
limited.
Nevertheless, the methods described herein may also be performed on higher-
level devices
such as desktop computers, server computers, and other such devices with
significantly larger
processing resources.
[0058] As seen in Fig. 2A, the electronic device 201 comprises an embedded
controller 202.
Accordingly, the electronic device 201 may be referred to as an "embedded
device." In the
present example, the controller 202 has a processing unit (or processor) 205
which is bi-
directionally coupled to an internal storage module 209. The storage module
209 may be
formed from non-volatile semiconductor read only memory (ROM) 260 and
semiconductor
random access memory (RAM) 270, as seen in Fig. 2B. The RAM 270 may be
volatile, non-
volatile or a combination of volatile and non-volatile memory.
[0059] The electronic device 201 includes a display controller 207, which is
connected to a
video display 214, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel or the like.
The display
controller 207 is configured for displaying graphical images on the video
display 214 in
accordance with instructions received from the embedded controller 202, to
which the display
controller 207 is connected.
[0060] The electronic device 201 also includes user input devices 213 which
are typically
formed by keys, a keypad or like controls. In some implementations, the user
input devices 213
may include a touch sensitive panel physically associated with the display 214
to collectively
form a touchscreen. Such a touchscreen may thus operate as one form of
graphical user
interface (GUI) as opposed to a prompt or menu driven GUI typically used with
keypad-display
combinations. Other forms of user input devices may also be used, such as a
microphone (not
illustrated) for voice commands or a joystick/thumb wheel (not illustrated)
for ease of navigation
about menus.
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[0061] As seen in Fig. 2A, the electronic device 201 also comprises a portable
memory
interface 206, which is coupled to the processor 205 via a connection 219. The
portable
memory interface 206 allows a complementary portable memory device 225 to be
coupled to
the electronic device 201 to act as a source or destination of data or to
supplement the internal
storage module 209. Examples of such interfaces permit coupling with portable
memory
devices such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory devices, Secure Digital (SD)
cards,
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMIA) cards, optical
disks and
magnetic disks.
[0062] The electronic device 201 also has a communications interface 208 to
permit coupling
of the device 201 to a computer or communications network 220 via a connection
221. For
example, one or more water control devices as described herein may be
connected to the
electronic device via the communications interface 208. Further, one or more
electronic devices
as described herein may be connected to the electronic device via the
communications
interface 208. Further, a building management system may be connected to the
electronic
device via the communications interface 208. Further, one or more water
control devices as
described herein may be connected to the electronic device via the
communications interface
208. Further, one or more intermediate processing devices may be connected to
the electronic
device via the communications interface 208.
[0063] The connection 221 may be wired or wireless. For example, the
connection 221 may
be radio frequency or optical. An example of a wired connection includes
Ethernet. Further, an
example of wireless connection includes BluetoothTM type local
interconnection, Wi-Fi (including
protocols based on the standards of the IEEE 802.11 family), Infrared Data
Association (IrDa)
and the like. The electronic device 201 may communicate with one or more water
control
devices.
[0064] Typically, the electronic device 201 is configured to perform some
special function.
The embedded controller 202, possibly in conjunction with further special
function
components 210, is provided to perform that special function. The special
function
components 210 are connected to the embedded controller 202. As an example,
the
device 201 may be a mobile telephone handset. In this instance, the components
210 may
represent those components required for communications in a cellular telephone
environment.
Alternatively, the components 210 may be an artificial intelligence (Al)
and/or machine learning
(ML) module for performing the methods for managing water control devices as
described
herein
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[0065] Various methods associated with water control devices described
hereinafter may be
implemented using the embedded controller 202, where the processes described
herein may be
implemented as one or more software application programs ("software") 233
executable within
the embedded controller 202. The electronic device 201 of Fig. 2A implements
the described
methods. In particular, with reference to Fig. 2B, the steps of the herein
described methods are
effected by instructions in the software 233 that are carried out within the
controller 202. The
software instructions may be formed as one or more code modules, each for
performing one or
more particular tasks. The software may also be divided into two separate
parts, in which a first
part and the corresponding code modules performs the described methods and a
second part
and the corresponding code modules manage a user interface between the first
part and the
user. Further, the software 233 may be used to implement an artificial
intelligence (Al) and/or
machine learning (ML) system to perform the methods for managing water control
devices as
described herein.
[0066] The software 233 of the embedded controller 202 is typically stored in
the non-volatile
ROM 260 of the internal storage module 209. The software 233 stored in the ROM
260 can be
updated when required from a computer readable medium. The software 233 can be
loaded
into and executed by the processor 205. In some instances, the processor 205
may execute
software instructions that are located in RAM 270. Software instructions may
be loaded into the
RAM 270 by the processor 205 initiating a copy of one or more code modules
from ROM 260
into RAM 270. Alternatively, the software instructions of one or more code
modules may be pre-
installed in a non-volatile region of RAM 270 by a manufacturer. After one or
more code
modules have been located in RAM 270, the processor 205 may execute software
instructions
of the one or more code modules.
[0067] The software 233 is typically pre-installed and stored in the ROM 260
by a
manufacturer, prior to distribution of the electronic device 201. However, in
some instances, the
software 233 may be supplied to the user encoded on one or more CD-ROM (not
shown) and
read via the portable memory interface 206 of Fig. 2A prior to storage in the
internal storage
module 209 or in the portable memory 225. In another alternative, the software
233 may be
read by the processor 205 from the network 220, or loaded into the controller
202 or the
portable storage medium 225 from other computer readable media. Computer
readable storage
media refers to any non-transitory tangible storage medium that participates
in providing
instructions and/or data to the controller 202 for execution and/or
processing. Examples of such
storage media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, a hard disk drive,
a ROM or
integrated circuit, USB memory, a magneto-optical disk, flash memory, or a
computer readable
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card such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are
internal or external
of the device 201. Examples of transitory or non-tangible computer readable
transmission
media that may also participate in the provision of software, application
programs, instructions
and/or data to the device 201 include radio or infra-red transmission channels
as well as a
network connection to another computer or networked device, and the Internet
or Intranets
including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on Websites and the
like. A computer
readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on it is a
computer
program product.
[0068] The second part of the software 233 and the corresponding code modules
mentioned
above may be executed to implement one or more graphical user interfaces
(GUIs) to be
rendered or otherwise represented upon the display 214 of Fig. 2A. Through
manipulation of
the user input device 213 (e.g., the keypad), a user of the device 201 and the
software 233 may
manipulate the interface in a functionally adaptable manner to provide
controlling commands
and/or input to the applications associated with the GUI(s). Other forms of
functionally
adaptable user interfaces may also be implemented, such as an audio interface
utilizing speech
prompts output via loudspeakers (not illustrated) and user voice commands
input via the
microphone (not illustrated).
[0069] Fig. 2B illustrates in detail the embedded controller 202 having the
processor 205 for
executing the software 233 and the internal storage 209. The internal storage
209 comprises
read only memory (ROM) 260 and random access memory (RAM) 270. The processor
205 is
able to execute the software 233 stored in one or both of the connected
memories 260 and 270.
When the electronic device 201 is initially powered up, a system program
resident in the
ROM 260 is executed. The software 233 permanently stored in the ROM 260 is
sometimes
referred to as "firmware". Execution of the firmware by the processor 205 may
fulfil various
functions, including processor management, memory management, device
management,
storage management and user interface.
[0070] The processor 205 typically includes a number of functional modules
including a
control unit (CU) 251, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 252, a digital signal
processor (DSP) 2153
and a local or internal memory comprising a set of registers 254 which
typically contain atomic
data elements 256, 257, along with internal buffer or cache memory 255. One or
more internal
buses 259 interconnect these functional modules. The processor 205 typically
also has one or
more interfaces 258 for communicating with external devices via system bus
281, using a
connection 261.
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[0071] The software 233 includes a sequence of instructions 262 through 263
that may
include conditional branch and loop instructions. The software 233 may also
include data,
which is used in execution of the software 233. This data may be stored as
part of the
instruction or in a separate location 264 within the ROM 260 or RAM 270.
[0072] In general, the processor 205 is given a set of instructions, which are
executed therein.
This set of instructions may be organised into blocks, which perform specific
tasks or handle
specific events that occur in the electronic device 201. Typically, the
software 233 waits for
events and subsequently executes the block of code associated with that event.
Events may be
triggered in response to input from a user, via the user input devices 213 of
Fig. 2A, as detected
by the processor 205. Events may also be triggered in response to other
sensors and
interfaces in the electronic device 201.
[0073] The execution of a set of the instructions may require numeric
variables to be read and
modified. Such numeric variables are stored in the RAM 270. The disclosed
method uses input
variables 271 that are stored in known locations 272, 273 in the memory 270.
The input
variables 271 are processed to produce output variables 277 that are stored in
known
locations 278, 279 in the memory 270. Intermediate variables 274 may be stored
in additional
memory locations in locations 275, 276 of the memory 270. Alternatively, some
intermediate
variables may only exist in the registers 254 of the processor 205.
[0074] The execution of a sequence of instructions is achieved in the
processor 205 by
repeated application of a fetch-execute cycle. The control unit 251 of the
processor 205
maintains a register called the program counter, which contains the address in
ROM 260 or
RAM 270 of the next instruction to be executed. At the start of the fetch
execute cycle, the
contents of the memory address indexed by the program counter is loaded into
the control
unit 251. The instruction thus loaded controls the subsequent operation of the
processor 205,
causing for example, data to be loaded from ROM memory 260 into processor
registers 254, the
contents of a register to be arithmetically combined with the contents of
another register, the
contents of a register to be written to the location stored in another
register and so on. At the
end of the fetch execute cycle the program counter is updated to point to the
next instruction in
the system program code. Depending on the instruction just executed this may
involve
incrementing the address contained in the program counter or loading the
program counter with
a new address in order to achieve a branch operation.
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[0075] Each step or sub-process in the processes of the methods described
below is
associated with one or more segments of the software 233, and is performed by
repeated
execution of a fetch-execute cycle in the processor 205 or similar
programmatic operation of
other independent processor blocks in the electronic device 201.
[0076] Various examples of water control device operation and control will now
be described.
[0077] It will be understood that where examples are described in which a
particular type of
water control device is operated that other alternative types of water control
device may also be
operated in a similar manner.
[0078] Figs. 3A to 3F show several different example network configurations of
water control
devices and connected devices and computers in which the herein described
methods may be
applied.
[0079] In Fig. 3A, water control devices are shown in a sanitary facility 2.
The water control
devices include, for example, a urinal 21, a shower 22, a tap (or faucet) 23
and a toilet 24. Each
of the water control devices has an associated water control device controller
11. The controller
11 of each water control device can communicate using Bluetooth to an
electronic device 201, as
described above with reference to Figs. 2A & 2B. For example, the electronic
device may be a
mobile telephone handset, tablet device or other small computing device.
[0080] It will be understood that alternative communication means other than
Bluetooth may be
used such as IrDA (Infrared data association protocol), local Wi-Fi
communications etc.
[0081] Fig. 3A shows a network configuration in which each controller of a
water control device
communicates separately via the Internet 92 to a computing device 101 as
described above with
reference to Figs. 1A & 1B and/or an electronic device 201 as described above
with reference to
Figs. 2A & 2B. It will also be understood that each controller of a water
control device may
communicate separately with multiple electronic devices as indicated by the
dots in Fig. 3A.
[0082] For example, the electronic device may be a mobile telephone handset,
tablet device or
other small computing device. Also, for example, the computing device may be a
personal
computer, a laptop, a server, a building management system computer etc.
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[0083] In Fig. 3B, water control devices are shown in a sanitary facility 2.
The water control
devices include, for example, a urinal 21, a shower 22, a tap (or faucet) 23
and a toilet 24. Each
of the water control devices has an associated water control device controller
11. The controller
11 of each water control device can communicate using any suitable Internet
connection such as
via a Wi-Fi modem, or a cellular data connection, such as 4G or 5G. An
intermediate processing
device (not shown) may be provided such as a central gateway device, modem
and/or router to
enable one or more of the water control devices to communicate with the
Internet.
[0084] It will be understood that intermediate communication protocols may be
used such as
Bluetooth and I rDA (Infrared data association protocol) etc. to enable the
Internet connection.
[0085] Fig.3B shows a network configuration in which each controller of a
water control device
communicates separately to the computing device 101 and/or the electronic
device 201. It will
also be understood that each controller of a water control device may
communicate separately
with multiple computing devices and/or multiple electronic devices.
[0086] For example, the electronic device may be a mobile telephone handset,
tablet device or
other small computing device. Also, for example, the computing device may be a
personal
computer, a laptop, a server, a building management system computer etc.
[0087] In Fig. 3C, water control devices are shown in a sanitary facility 2.
The water control
devices include, for example, a urinal 21, a shower 22, a tap (or faucet) 23
and a toilet 24. The
controller 11 of each water control device can communicate using Bluetooth to
an intermediate
processing device 14. The intermediate processing device may be, for example,
a central
gateway device, to enable one or more of the water control devices to
communicate via the
intermediate processing device to a Building Management System (BMS) 30. For
example, the
central gateway device may communicate directly with the BMS using standard
BMS protocols
such as BACnet, LON etc to communicate. The BMS may include one or more
computing devices
101 and/or electronic devices (not shown) to enable the BMS to communicate
with the water
control devices via the intermediate processing device.
[0088] For example, the electronic device may be a mobile telephone handset,
tablet device or
other small computing device. Also, for example, the computing device may be a
personal
computer, a laptop, a server, a building management system computer etc.
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[0089] It will be understood that alternative communication means other than
Bluetooth may be
used such as IrDA (Infrared data association protocol), local Wi-Fi
communications etc.to enable
the water control devices to communicate with the BMS, and vice versa.
[0090] Fig. 30 shows a network configuration in which each controller of a
water control device
communicates separately via a single intermediate processing device to the
BMS. It will also be
understood that each controller of a water control device may communicate
separately with its
own intermediate processing device.
[0091] In Fig. 3D, water control devices are shown in a sanitary facility 2.
The water control
devices include, for example, a urinal 21, a shower 22, a tap (or faucet) 23
and a toilet 24. The
controller 11 of each water control device can communicate using Bluetooth to
an intermediate
processing device 14. The intermediate processing device may be, for example,
a central
gateway device, a modem and/or router to enable one or more of the water
control devices to
communicate via the intermediate processing device to a Building Management
System (BMS)
30. In this configuration, the intermediate processing device communicates
with the BMS via the
Internet. The BMS may include one or more computing devices 101 and/or
electronic devices
(not shown) to enable the BMS to communicate with the water control devices
via the intermediate
processing device.
[0092] For example, the electronic device may be a mobile telephone handset,
tablet device or
other small computing device. Also, for example, the computing device may be a
personal
computer, a laptop, a server, a building management system computer etc.
[0093] It will be understood that alternative communication means other than
Bluetooth may be
used such as IrDA (Infrared data association protocol), local Wi-Fl
communications etc.to enable
the water control devices to communicate with the BMS, and vice versa.
[0094] Fig. 3D shows a network configuration in which each controller of a
water control device
communicates separately via a single intermediate processing device to the
BMS. It will also be
understood that each controller of a water control device may communicate
separately with its
own intermediate processing device.
[0095] In Fig. 3E, water control devices are shown in a sanitary facility 2.
The water control
devices include, for example, a urinal 21, a shower 22, a tap (or faucet) 23
and a toilet 24. The
controller 11 of each water control device can communicate using Bluetooth to
an intermediate
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processing device 14. The intermediate processing device may be, for example,
a central
gateway device, to enable one or more of the water control devices to
communicate via the
intermediate processing device to a one or more computing devices 101 and/or
electronic devices
201.
[0096] For example, the electronic device may be a mobile telephone handset,
tablet device or
other small computing device. Also, for example, the computing device may be a
personal
computer, a laptop, a server, a building management system computer etc.
[0097] It will be understood that alternative communication means other than
Bluetooth may be
used such as IrDA (Infrared data association protocol), local Wi-Fl
communications etc.to enable
the water control devices to communicate with the intermediate processing
device.
[0098] It will be understood that any suitable communication protocols may be
used to enable
the intermediate processing device to communicate with the one or more
computing devices 101
and/or electronic devices 201, such as IrDA (Infrared data association
protocol, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,
cellular data etc.
[0099] Fig. 3F shows a network configuration in which each controller 11 of a
water control
device communicates with other controllers 11 in other water control devices.
The network is
configured as a mesh network. In this example configuration, data may be
shared between water
control devices in the mesh network. A first controller in a first water
control device may be
enabled to control/monitor the first water control device. Alternatively, the
first controller in the
first water control device may be enabled to control/monitor one or more other
water control
devices based on data received from one or more other controllers. Also, a
controller in a first
water control device may be enabled to control/monitor the first water control
device and/or one
or more other water control devices. Further, data received at a first
controller from a first water
control device may be used to control/monitor the first water control device
and/or one or more
other water control devices.
[00100] In Fig. 3F, water control devices are shown in a sanitary facility 2.
The water control
devices include, for example, a urinal 21, a shower 22, a tap (or faucet) 23
and a toilet 24, as
examples. The controller 11 of each water control device can communicate using
Bluetooth, for
example, with one or more controllers of other water control devices.
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[00101] Each of the water control devices may connect and disconnect to the
mesh network as
it is plugged in and unplugged from the network. This is termed "plug n play'
(PnP) and so each
water control device may be a PnP water control device. This enables PnP water
control devices
to be added and removed from the mesh network with ease. This may also enable
PnP water
control devices to communicate with each other. This may also enable PnP water
control devices
to be organised in a hierarchical structure that may be taken into account and
used when adjusting
operational parameters of water control devices as described herein.
[00102] It will be understood that alternative communication means other than
Bluetooth may be
used such as IrDA (Infrared data association protocol), local Wi-Fi
communications etc.to enable
the controllers of the water control devices to communicate with each other.
[00103] The mesh network is in communication with one or more BMS, one or more
computing
device, one or more electronic device, one or more central gateway device, one
or more
intermediate processing device or any combination therefor using any suitable
communication
protocols.
[00104] For example, the electronic device may be a mobile telephone handset,
tablet device or
other small computing device. Also, for example, the computing device may be a
personal
computer, a laptop, a server, a building management system computer as part of
the BMS etc.
[00105] It will be understood that configurations that are alternative to the
ones shown in Figs.
3A to 3F may be utilised. As an example, the configuration shown in Figs. 3A
and 3B may be
combined. As another example, the configuration shown in Figs. 3A and 3C may
be combined.
As another example, the configuration shown in Figs. 3A and 3D may be
combined. As another
example, the configuration shown in Figs. 3A and 3E may be combined. As
another example,
the configuration shown in Figs. 3B and 3C may be combined. As another
example, the
configuration shown in Figs. 3B and 3D may be combined. As another example,
the configuration
shown in Figs. 3B and 3E may be combined. As another example, the
configuration shown in
Figs. 30 and 3D may be combined. As another example, the configuration shown
in Figs. 30
and 3E may be combined. As another example, the configuration shown in Figs.
3D and 3E may
be combined.
[00106] Further, the mesh configuration shown in Fig 3F may be used with any
of the herein
described configurations or combinations.
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[00107] In each of the herein described configurations or combinations, one or
more of the water
control devices may communicate with one or more smart water meters (not
shown) located in
the sanitary facility and/or the building facility. The one or more smart
meters may capture data,
such as water operation values, associated with the water made available to
one or more of the
water control devices, water made available to one or more sanitary
facilities, water made
available to one or more particular areas in a building facility, water made
available to one or more
floors of a building facility, water made available to one or more building
facilities etc. For
example, the water operation values may be water volume usage values, water
flow rate usage
values, water pressure values, historical water usage values, historical
pressure values etc.
[00108] In each of the herein described configurations or combinations, the
communication
between the controller 11 of the water control device (21-24) and the data
receiving device (101,
201, 14, smart water meter etc.) may be bi-directional.
[00109] The controller 11 of the water control device (21-24) may transmit
data associated with
identifying the water control device, such as the location of the water
control device, a device
unique identification, a device name, a device product type identification, a
device product
identification, etc.
[00110] The controller 11 of a first water control device (21-24) may transmit
data associated
with, for example, operational functions, modes of operation, operational
parameters, historical
device operations, warnings, messages etc. that are associated with the first
water control device
or another different water control device that is in communication with the
first water control
device.
[00111] Fig. 4 shows an example water control device (21, 22, 23, 24)
schematic diagram with a
controller 11. An inlet water flow 401 and outlet water flow 403 is shown. An
inlet water valve
405 is in fluid connection between the inlet water flow 401 and the water
control device. In this
example, the inlet water valve 405 communicates, via communication channel
407, one or more
water operation values to the controller. In this example, the water operation
value is an inlet
water pressure value associated with the pressure of the water at the inlet to
the water control
device. The controller is arranged to determine whether the water operation
value is outside of a
defined threshold associated with the device operation. If the controller
makes a determination
that the water operation value is outside of the defined threshold, an
operational parameter
associated with the water control device during the device operation may be
adjusted by the
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controller and communicated to the inlet water valve via communication channel
409. The
adjusted operational parameter then enables the water control device to be
effectively operated.
[00112] For example, if the water control device is a urinal 21, the volume of
water required for a
standard flush operation to be an effective standard flush operation may be
defined as 0.8 litres.
If the inlet water pressure value (water operation value) is below a defined
inlet water pressure
value threshold for providing the effective standard flush operation utilising
0.8 litres, then the
controller may adjust an operational parameter such as, for example, the time
the inlet water valve
is open, or by regulating the inlet valve to open more or less in order to
provide the volume of
water associated with effectively operating the urinal.
[00113] Therefore, there is provided a building facility water management
method for controlling
at least one operational parameter associated with a volume of water used by a
water control
device during a device operation in a building facility. For example, the
building facility may be
office buildings, hotels, motels, resorts, warehouse facilities, storage
facilities, shopping malls,
airports etc.
[00114] The method used by the building facility water management system
enables the
controller to obtain a water operation value associated with a volume of water
for the water control
device during the device operation. The method also enables the controller to
determine whether
the water operation value is outside of a defined threshold associated with
the device operation.
If the controller makes a determination that the water operation value is
outside of the defined
threshold, the method then enables the controller to adjust an operational
parameter associated
with the water control device during the device operation to enable the water
control device to be
effectively operated.
[00115] In the example described above for the urinal in relation to Fig. 4,
the water operation
value is measured in real-time and so is a real-time water operation value.
That is, the inlet water
pressure value is measured in real time by the controller by obtaining an
inlet water pressure
value in real time from an inlet water pressure sensor. The inlet water
pressure sensor may be a
component in the inlet water valve 405 or may, alternatively, be located
elsewhere within the
water inlet to measure the inlet water pressure at another point in the water
inlet system.
[00116] By using a real-time value, the adjustment of the operational
parameter may be based
on the current parameters associated with the device operation.
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[00117] As an alternative, the water operation value may be based on a stored
water operation
value. That is, in the example of the urinal in relation to Fig. 4, one or
more inlet water pressure
values may have been stored from previous device operations over a period of
time. The
controller may obtain the stored inlet water pressure value from memory. For
example, the
controller may obtain the last stored water operation value. Alternatively,
the controller may obtain
an average, mean or median of two or more previously stored water operation
values.
[00118] Example water operation values include one or more of an inlet water
pressure at the
water control device, a water supply pressure value associated with a water
supply for the water
control device, a water level of the volume of water associated with the
device operation, an
inlet flow rate associated with the device operation, an outlet flow rate
associated with the
device operation and a water volume associated with the device operation.
[00119] Further, the water operation value may have been obtained based on one
or more
previous device operations. For example, an average, mean, median, or other
statistical
calculation may be made based on one or more water operation values that were
obtained from
one or more previous device operations.
[00120] Further, the adjusting of the operational parameter may adjust the
volume of water
available to the water control device to complete the device operation and/or
subsequent device
operations. That is, there may be a single adjustment for multiple subsequent
device
operations. There may also be a single adjustment to complete the current
device operation.
[00121] Fig. 5 shows an example of a controller 11 of a water control device.
[00122] The controller 11 has a microprocessor 501 that is in communication
with an input/output
(I/O) interface 503 that receives incoming signals 505 and transmits outgoing
signals 507. The
microprocessor also communicates with a memory 509 to enable incoming data to
be stored and
stored data to be retrieved and transmitted. The microprocessor also
communicates with a
communications interface 511 for communicating with one or more other water
control devices,
computer devices, electronic devices, smart water meters, intermediate
processing devices, BMS
etc. The controller 11 and its components are powered by a power system 513
that either has
an external power inlet 515 or is powered by an internal power store (e.g. a
battery).
[00123] The memory 509 may store one or more profiles and/or operation tables
associated with
one or more device operations associated with one or more water control
devices.
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[00124] The controller 11 in one water control device may communicate with
controllers in one
or more other water control devices. For example, a first controller may
obtain data from a
memory 509 in another controller, or a smart water meter.
[00125] The controller 11 may have an artificial intelligence (Al) and/or
machine learning (ML)
module 517 integrated therein. The Al/ML module communicates with the
microprocessor 501
and memory 509.
[00126] The controller 11 in one water control device may communicate with an
Al/ML module
517 in one or more other water control device, electronic device 201,
computing system 100,
building management system etc.
[00127] It will be understood that the Al/ML module may also be an Al/ML
system that is separate
to the controller 11 but in communication with the controller. For example,
the Al/ML system may
be at least part of a computer system or electronic device as described herein
with reference to
Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, where the computer system or electronic device is in
communication with
the controller 11 via any suitable communication means as described herein.
[00128] The Al/ML module or system may also communicate with one or more smart
meters to
obtain water operation values.
[00129] The Al/ML system or module may include an artificial neuronal net
and/or an expert
system.
[00130] The Al/ML system or module may be trained using supervised learning,
where the Al/ML
system is trained with pre-defined data.
[00131] The Al/ML system or module may be trained using un-supervised
learning, where the
Al/ML system is continuously learning based on the data that is received and
transmitted over
time during one or more device operations.
[00132] The Al/ML system or module may be trained using reinforcement
learning, where the
Al/ML system receives feedback and/or responses from one or more other
controllers and/or
water control devices in the building facility water management system. This
training may be
based on previous device operations that occurred successfully and/or
unsuccessfully.
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[00133] Any combination of the supervised, un-supervised, reinforcement
learning processes
may be carried out at any time either singularly or in combination by one or
more of the controllers
in communication with one or more Al/ML systems or modules.
[00134] The Al/ML system or module may operate initially in a start-up mode
after which it starts
learning using one or more of the supervised, un-supervised, reinforcement
learning processes.
[00135] The Al/ML system or module may be used in, at least part of, the
method of adjusting
an operational parameter as described herein. For example, the Al/ML system or
module may
be used in, at least part of, adjusting an operational parameter by obtaining,
adjusting or applying
a profile associated with the device operation based on the obtained water
operation value, where
the profile may define at least one relationship between the operational
parameter and a water
operation value. For example, the step of adjusting the profile using
artificial intelligence and/or
machine learning may be based on the at least one relationship over time. For
example, the
adjustment of the profile by the Al/ML system or module may be based on one or
more of historical
relationships, detected patterns, determined predictions etc.
[00136] The Al/ML system or module may be used in, at least part of, the
method of determining
a maintenance device operation as described herein.
[00137] The Al/ML system or module may obtain not only water operation values
associated with
one or more water control devices and/or smart water meters, but also one or
more further data
values to assist in one or more of the herein described methods. For example,
the further data
values may be one or more data sets associated with usage patterns of the one
or more water
control devices, operational hours associated with the building facility,
maintenance schedules
associated with the one or more water control devices and/or building
facility, water shortage or
drought data, weather patterns, weather forecast data, environmental data,
etc..
[00138] Therefore, the Al/ML system or module may, over time, improve one or
more device
operations of one or more water control devices to enable the one or more
water control devices
to be effectively operated.
[00139] Referring to Figs. 6A and 6B, two different example scenarios are
described in which a
water operation value is obtained, where the water operation value is
associated with a volume
of water for the water control device during the device operation.
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[00140] In Fig. 6A, a toilet 24 is provided as an example. The toilet has a
cistern 601 in which
water 602 is provided via a water supply 603 and an inlet water valve 605. A
flush valve 606 may
be operated (e.g. manually or electronically) to flush the toilet. A
controller 11 controls how the
inlet water valve operates by communicating one or more operational parameters
to the inlet
water valve.
[00141] In the cistern 601, a water level sensor 607 is provided to sense the
water level in the
cistern. The sensed water level value is communicated to the controller 11 as
a water operation
value. The controller determines whether the water operation value is outside
of a defined
threshold associated with the device operation, which in this scenario is a
flush operation.
[00142] Upon the controller making a determination that the water operation
value is outside of
the defined threshold, an operational parameter that is associated with the
toilet during the flush
operation is adjusted. In this scenario, the operational parameter may be a
time period that the
inlet water valve is open in order to top up the cistern, a time period that
the inlet water valve is
closed in order to top up the cistern, a sequence of time periods in which the
inlet water valve is
open and closed in order to top up the cistern, a flow rate associated with
the inlet water valve in
order to top up the cistern, or any combination thereof. Adjusting how the
inlet water valve
operates enables sufficient water to be provided in the cistern for the flush
operation, whether it
be the current flush operation or one or more subsequent flush operations.
[00143] The determination by the controller that the associated water level in
the cistern is below
a threshold may mean that the volume of water in the cistern would not provide
sufficient water
in a flush operation, i.e. the volume of water associated with the flush
operation is insufficient
(below a defined threshold) to enable the water control device to be
effectively operated.
[00144] It will be understood that the water operation value in the above
scenario may be a
sensed water volume value that is determined based on the sensed distance
between the sensor
607, the water level and the dimensions of the cistern. Further alternatives
are envisaged. For
example, the water level may be determined using a laser system to detect any
height variation
in the "normal" water level in the cistern.
[00145] In Fig. 6B, a toilet 24 is provided as an example water control
device. The toilet is in fluid
communication with a header 611 in which water 602 is provided via a building
water supply (not
shown). An inlet water valve 616 may be operated (e.g. manually or
electronically) to flush the
toilet, such as, for example, a flush button 613 may be pressed to activate
the flush operation. A
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controller 11 controls how the inlet water valve operates by communicating one
or more
operational parameters to the inlet water valve.
[00146] In the header 611, an outlet water valve (or shut-off valve) 615
provides the water to the
inlet water valve 616 of the toilet. In this example, a pressure sensor is
incorporated into the
outlet water valve to sense the pressure of the water in the header. The
sensed water pressure
value is communicated to the controller 11 as a water operation value. The
controller determines
whether the water operation value is outside of a defined threshold associated
with the device
operation, which in this scenario is a flush operation.
[00147] It will be understood that, as an alternative, the pressure sensor may
be located
elsewhere in the water supply line prior to the outlet water valve to
determine the water pressure
at the header. Further, the water pressure value may be obtained by the
controller from a smart
water meter that is in communication with the controller.
[00148] Upon the controller making a determination that the water operation
value is outside of
the defined threshold, an operational parameter that is associated with the
toilet during the flush
operation is adjusted. In this scenario, the operational parameter may be a
time period that the
inlet water valve is open to provide sufficient water to the toilet, a time
period that the inlet water
valve is closed to provide sufficient water to the toilet, a sequence of time
periods in which the
inlet water valve is open and closed to provide sufficient water to the
toilet, a flow rate associated
with the inlet water valve to provide sufficient water to the toilet, or any
combination thereof.
Adjusting how the inlet water valve operates enables sufficient water to be
provided to the toilet
for the flush operation, whether it be the current flush operation or one or
more subsequent flush
operations.
[00149] For example, the determination by the controller that the water
pressure level at the
header is below a threshold means that the volume of water provided to the
toilet would not
provide sufficient water in a flush operation, i.e. the pressure of water
associated with the flush
operation is insufficient (below a defined threshold) to enable the water
control device to be
effectively operated. As an example, a sufficient flush operation may require
a defined volume of
water.
[00150] Figs. 7A and 7B show examples of how a water control device cleanse
operation may
be controlled.
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[00151] In Fig. 7A, a toilet 24 is provided as an example water control
device. The toilet is in fluid
communication with an inlet water valve 701 that provides water for a flush
operation. The inlet
water valve 701 may be operated (e.g. manually or electronically) to flush the
toilet, for example,
a flush button 713 may be pressed to activate the flush operation. A
controller 11 controls how
the inlet water valve operates by communicating one or more operational
parameters to the inlet
water valve.
[00152] In this example, a drain flow rate sensor 703 is incorporated into the
drain pipe of the
toilet to sense the flow rate of the water passing through the drain pipe. The
sensed water flow
rate value is communicated to the controller 11 as a water operation value.
The controller
determines whether the water operation value is outside of a defined threshold
associated with
the device operation, which in this scenario is draining following a flush
operation.
[00153] It will be understood that, as an alternative, the flow rate sensor
703 may be located
elsewhere such as at the drain outlet of the toilet 24 as shown in Fig. 7B.
Further, the water flow
rate value may be obtained by the controller from a smart water meter that is
in communication
with the controller.
[00154] Upon the controller making a determination that the water operation
value is outside of
the defined threshold, an operational parameter that is associated with the
toilet is adjusted. In
this scenario, the operational parameter may be a time period that the inlet
water valve 701 is
open, a time period that the inlet water valve is closed, a sequence of time
periods in which the
inlet water valve is open and closed, a flow rate associated with the inlet
water valve, or any
combination thereof. Adjusting how the inlet water valve operates may enable
sufficient water to
be provided to the toilet to enable the draining following the flush operation
to work effectively.
For example, a high-pressure blast of water may be provided to the toilet in
short sharp bursts, in
any desired sequence, to try and clear the drain pipe. The operational
parameter may be adjusted
for the current drain operation or one or more subsequent drain operations.
[00155] Alternatively, the adjustment of the operational parameter may be to
close off the water
inlet valve and/or a shut-off valve until remedial action has been carried out
to clear the blockage
in the drain pipe, and so enable the water control device to operate
effectively.
[00156] The determination by the controller that the water flow rate level in
the drain is below a
threshold may mean that the volume of water currently being provided to the
toilet may result in
the toilet overflowing. Therefore, the remedial action of attempting to clear
the drain pipe, may
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enable the water control device to be effectively operated. Other actions as
described herein may
also be utilised.
[00157] In accordance with the herein described examples or other examples,
the determination
by the controller that the water operation value is outside of a defined
threshold is executed using
one or more profiles that are stored in memory.
[00158] The operational parameter may be adjusted by, for example, utilising a
profile. A profile
associated with the water control device may be obtained, read, monitored,
updated, modified
and/or replaced by the controller and/or the Al/ML module or system. A profile
may be stored in
any memory in communication with the controller. The controller may be any
controller in
communication with the water control device. The profile associated with the
water control device
may be obtained, read, monitored, updated, modified and/or replaced by a
computer system,
electronic device or BMS in communication with the water control device.
[00159] The controller may adjust the operational parameter by selecting,
obtaining, adjusting
or applying a profile associated with the device operation based on the
obtained water operation
value. The profile may define at least one relationship between the
operational parameter and
the water operation value. For example, the profile may be in the form of a
look-up table for a
particular water operation value associated with a volume of water for the
water control device
during the device operation.
[00160] The relationship may be defined by a flow rate vs time profile, as
described herein with
reference to Fig. 8.
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[00161] An example profile in the form of a table for a water pressure water
operation value for
a urinal is provided below:
Water pressure water operation value
Urinal XYZ No. 123, location N
(Normal operation = 300kPa)
Water pressure Regulated valve opening
Regulated valve timing
300kPa 100% 5
seconds
300kPA 50% 10
Seconds
300kPa 20% 25
seconds
[00162] In accordance with the above profile, it can be seen that the expected
(normal) water
pressure is 300kPa for Urinal XYZ No. 123 at location N.
[00163] By operating a fixed valve (or regulated valve) at 100%, this would
require a 5 second
valve operation to obtain the desired water volume of 0.8 litres for a flush
operation. For a
regulated valve, the valve may be regulated at 50% for 10 seconds to provide
the same volume
of water. Alternatively, the regulated valve may be regulated at 20% for 25
seconds to provide
the same volume of water.
[00164] In a scenario where the water pressure water operation value is sensed
at a reduced
operation, the controller makes the determination that the water pressure is
below a defined
threshold and modifies the regulation of the valve or the valve opening time
accordingly by
adjusting an operational parameter of the valve. For example, if the pressure
value sensed is
half the value of the normal pressure value, the operational parameter of time
may be doubled
to achieve the same water volume in the device operation. As another example,
if the pressure
value sensed is double the value of the normal pressure value, the operational
parameter of
valve regulation may be adjusted from 100% to 50% to achieve the same water
volume in the
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device operation. As another example, if the pressure value sensed is a
quarter the value of
the normal pressure value, the operational parameter of flow rate may be
adjusted four-fold to
achieve the same water volume in the device operation. It will be clear that
many other
scenarios may exist where the detected water pressure increases or decreases.
[00165] The controller may also update/modify the profile to insert new
"normal" operating
parameters. For example, the update may occur if it is determined that the
change in pressure
is a long-term change.
[00166] It will also be understood that different profiles may be provided for
other water
operation values as well as water pressure values, such as water volume
values, water flow rate
values and water level values as described herein.
[00167] The controller may, upon a determination that the water operation
value is outside of a
defined threshold, generate and output one or more alerts, messages,
communications,
instructions or any other communication associated with the water operation
value. For
example, a communication may be generated and communicated to a computing
device,
electronic device or BMS to indicate that a change in the water operation
value has occurred
and that a remedial action may be required. For example, the communication may
indicate that
a maintenance action, repair action, investigation action, replace action is
required. The
communication may identify the associated water control device using any of
the available data
described herein including for example, a device ID and location.
[00168] According to one example, a maintenance event may be generated to
drain a supply
line and refill the supply line. According to another example, a maintenance
event may be
generated to drain a waste line. According to another example, a maintenance
event may be
generated to send a technician to investigate. According to another example, a
maintenance
event may be generated to perform a remedial action. According to another
example, a
maintenance event may be generated to put a water control device out of action
by deactivating
a water inlet valve and/or a shut off valve. For example, an individual water
control device may
be put out of action. As another example, a group of water control devices may
be put out of
action by shutting off a shut off valve to a sanitary facility or building
facility. For example, the
group of water control devices may be in the same location or building
facility. For example, the
group of water control devices may be on the same floor in a building
facility. For example, the
group of water control devices may be the same product type.
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[00169] Further, the adjusting of the operational parameter may also include
the step
controlling the inlet water valve to perform a maintenance device operation.
For example, the
maintenance device operation may be a cleaning flush of a urinal or toilet,
such as, for example,
applying a maximum flow rate flush device operation for a defined period of
time. As another
example, the maintenance device operation may be the automatic shutting off of
a shut off valve
or inlet water valve associated with a water control device, for example. The
shut off valve may
be associated with one or more water control devices. The shut off valve may
be associated
with one or more sanitary facilities in one or more locations and one or more
building facilities.
[00170] It will be understood that the maintenance device operation to be
executed may be
determined using the Al/ML module or system based on multiple water operation
values that
have been obtained from multiple water control devices.
[00171] For example, the maintenance device operation may be determined by
Al/ML module
or system determining where a blockage is occurring in the building facility
based on the
analysis of water pressure values and/or flow rate values at different points
throughout the
building facility, in specific areas, at different inlets, at different
outlets, at different water control
devices etc.
[00172] It will also be understood that the step of adjusting, updating or
modifying the profile
may be executed using the herein described Al/ML system or module based on the
at least one
relationship over time.
[00173] Further, it will be understood that the profile may be associated with
one or more of a
water control device mode of operation, water control device code, a water
control device type,
a water control device group, a unique water control device ID, a location of
a water control
device.
[00174] That is, the water control device code may relate to a specific
product line (e.g. a
product code) such as toilet XYZ. Further, the water control device type may
relate to a
particular type of product, such as a toilet, a cistern a shower, a tap etc.
Further, the water
control device group may relate to a group of products such as, bathroom
products, toilet
products, kitchen products etc. Further, the unique water control device ID
may relate to one
specific item of a specific product, for example a serial number. Further, the
location of the
water control device may relate to a specific latitude/longitude location, an
address location, a
customer location, a floor location etc.
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[00175] In accordance with the herein described method and system, the inlet
water valve may
be a fixed flow rate valve, in which case, in one example, the only
operational parameters that
may be changed may be the parameters associated with the time period(s) that
the inlet water
valve is switched on and off.
[00176] Alternatively, the inlet water valve may be a regulated valve, in
which case the
operational parameters that may be changed are the time period(s) that the
inlet water valve is
switched on and off and/or the flow rate associated with the inlet water
valve. For example, the
flow rate may be a percentage value that indicated how "open" the valve should
be. For example,
a 100% flow rate indicates that the valve should be fully open, a 50% flow
rate indicates that the
valve is half open, and a 0% flow rate indicates that the valve is fully
closed. As another example,
the flow rate operational parameter may be set using standard flow rate values
defined in
litres/second or an imperial equivalent. The valve may then adjust the flow
rate accordingly by
opening/closing the inlet/outlet or diaphragm of the valve.
[00177] Other scenarios are envisaged for device operations of any of the
water control devices
described herein in which the water operation value is associated with a
volume of water for the
water control device during the device operation. The water operation value
may be one or more
of an inlet water pressure at the water control device, a water supply
pressure value associated
with a water supply for the water control device, a water level of the volume
of water associated
with the device operation, an inlet flow rate associated with the device
operation, an outlet flow
rate associated with the device operation and a water volume associated with
the device
operation.
[00178] Other scenarios are envisaged for device operations of any of the
water control devices
described herein in which the operational parameter may be at least one water
regulating value
of an inlet water valve associated with the device operation. Further, the
water regulating value
may be a time value associated with the device operation, where the time value
is one or more
of an inlet water valve on-time, an inlet water valve off-time, a sequence of
an inlet water valve
on-time and off-time. Further, the water regulating value may be a flow rate
value of the inlet
water valve associated with the device operation.
[00179] It will be understood that the operational parameter may be adjusted
using the Al/ML
module or system as described herein.
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[00180] In relation to a device operation of any scenario using one or more
water control devices,
enabling the water control device to be effectively operated may mean
operating in accordance
with one or more manufacture specifications associated with the water control
device so that the
volume of water during the device operation is in accordance with the one or
more manufacture
specifications.
[00181] In relation to a device operation of any scenario using one or more
water control devices,
enabling the water control device to be effectively operated may mean
operating in accordance
with one or more technical standards associated with the water control device
so that the volume
of water during the device operation is in accordance with the one or more
technical standards.
[00182] In relation to a device operation of any scenario scenarios using one
or more water
control devices, enabling the water control device to be effectively operated
may mean operating
in accordance with one or more legal standards associated with the water
control device so that
the volume of water during the device operation is in accordance with the one
or more legal
standards.
[00183] Fig. 8 shows an example of a flow rate profile for a water control
device in accordance
with the herein described methods and system.
[00184] The profile shown in Fig. 8 provides an example of defining at least
one relationship
between the operational parameter and the water operation value. For example,
the water
operation value is flow rate (litres/sec) and the operational parameter is
time (seconds) that the
inlet water valve is open. In profile A of Fig.8 a standard water pressure is
available at the inlet
water valve and so the valve operates by ramping up to a defined flow rate
FRd. When the current
water operation value is detected as being half that of the standard water
operation value (i.e.
FRm for modified flow rate), profile B is used in which the time of operation
of the valve is extended
two-fold (from ti to t2) to ensure that the correct volume of water is used in
the device operation.
[00185] Fig. 9 shows an example of a control process (method) in accordance
with the herein
disclosure.
[00186] The process starts at step 901. At step 903, a water operation value
is obtained. At
step 905, a determination is made whether the water operation value is outside
of a defined
threshold. If the determination is "NO", the process moves back to the start.
If the determination
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is "YES", the process moves to step 907 where an operational parameter is
adjusted. The
process finishes at step 909.
[00187] In accordance with the at least one inlet water valve control, the
adjusting of the
operational parameter may include the step of controlling the at least one
inlet water valve
associated with the water control device based on the obtained water operation
value. For
example, the inlet water valve may be part of a cistern with a separate
release valve into the
toilet or urinal. Alternatively, the inlet water valve may be directly in line
with the urinal or toilet.
Further, the operational parameter may include one or more of a time period
that the inlet water
valve is open, a time period that the inlet water valve is closed, a sequence
of time periods in
which the inlet water valve is open and closed, a flow rate of the inlet water
valve, or any
combination thereof.
[00188] Therefore, a water outlet of the inlet water valve may be in direct
fluid connection with
the water control device. A water inlet of the inlet water valve may be
connected to a header.
The water outlet of the inlet water valve may be in indirect fluid connection
with the water control
device. The water outlet of the inlet water valve may be connected to an inlet
of a cistern,
where the cistern provides the volume of water for the water control device
during the device
operation.
[00189] It will be understood that the herein described system may include a
method of
obtaining the water operation value by detecting a volume of water that was
previously used by
the water control device during one or more previous device operations. The
operational
parameter associated with the volume of water to be used by the water control
device may be
adjusted by a controller in one or more subsequent device operations to enable
the water
control device to be effectively operated.
[00190] It will be understood that the herein described system may include a
method of
obtaining the water operation value by obtaining a water pressure value of
water associated
with the device operation. The method may also include the steps of a
controller obtaining a
previous water pressure value, comparing the obtained water pressure value
with the obtained
previous water pressure value and determining whether the water pressure value
is outside of
the defined threshold based on a calculated pressure difference value based on
a difference in
water pressure between the water pressure value and the previous water
pressure value.
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[00191] For example, the water pressure value may be obtained by capturing a
real-time
measurement, or a measurement that was taken any time prior to the device
operation,
including an average value over time.
[00192] The water pressure value may be obtained from any memory that is in
communication
with the controller. For example, this value could be a measurement that was
captured during a
current device operation to change how the device operates in subsequent
device operations.
Further, this value could be an average of recent prior measurements to be
used to adjust how
the device operates in the next device operation.
[00193] The water pressure value may be obtained from one or more smart water
meters.
[00194] It will be understood that the herein described system may include a
method of
obtaining the water operation value by obtaining a water flow rate value of
water associated with
the device operation. For example, the water flow rate value may be based on
one or more
water flow rate values obtained during one or more previous device operations.
For example,
the water flow rate value may be an average, mean or any other suitable
mathematical
determination of previously obtained waterflow rate values. The water flow
rate value may be
determined by the Al/ML module or system. The water flow rate value may be
obtained from
one or more smart water meters.
[00195] The water flow rate value may be obtained by capturing a real-time
measurement, or a
measurement that was taken any time prior to the device operation, including
an average value
over time.
[00196] The water flow rate value may be obtained from any memory that is in
communication
with the controller. For example, this value could be a measurement that was
captured during a
current device operation to change how the water control device operates in
subsequent device
operations.
[00197] Further, this value could be an average of recent prior measurements
to be used to
adjust how the water control device operates in the next device operation.
[00198] It will be understood that the herein described system may include a
method of
obtaining the water operation value by obtaining a water level value of water
associated with the
device operation.
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[00199] The water level value may be obtained by capturing a real-time
measurement, or a
measurement that was taken any time prior to the device operation, including
an average value
over time.
[00200] The water level value may be obtained from any memory that is in
communication with
the controller. For example, this value could be a measurement that was
captured during a
current device operation to change how the water control device operates in
subsequent device
operations.
[00201] Further, this value could be an average of recent prior measurements
to be used to
adjust how the water control device operates in the next device operation.
[00202] The water control devices may also perform device operations using any
of a plurality
of modes of operation that are available for that particular water control
device. Therefore, the
adjusting of the operational parameter for the device operation may also be
dependent on a
selected mode of operation selected from the modes of operation.
[00203] For example, the mode of operation may be a mode X, mode Y, mode Z,
where these
modes are identified as standard mode, cleansing mode, maintenance mode, for
example.
[00204] Different profiles may be stored in any memory that is in
communication with the
controller to determine how the water control device is to execute the device
operation.
[00205] For example, the following table provides an example of different
profiles that may be
utilised by the herein described system using the herein described methods
depending on the
mode of operation of the water control device.
WATER CONTROL MODE X MODE Y MODE
Z
DEVICE
A PROFILEAx PROFILEAr
PROFILEAz
PROFILEBx PROFILEBy
PROFILEBz
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PROFILEcx PROFILEcy
PROFILEcz
PROFILEDx PROFILED),
PROFILEoz
[00206] As an example, for water control device C, which may be Urinal XYZ No.
123, location
N as described above, there are three different mode related profiles stored
depending on
whether the urinal is being operated in Mode X (standard mode), Mode Y
(cleansing mode) or
Mode Z (maintenance mode). For example, if the Urinal XYZ is operated in
cleansing mode
then PROFILEcy is used in the methods described herein.
[00207] In this way, accurate profiles may be applied to different water
control devices
dependent on the mode of operation of the water control device.
[00208] For example, the following table provides an example of different
profiles that may be
utilised by the herein described system using the herein described methods
depending on the
location of the water control device.
WATER CONTROL LOCATION M LOCATION N
LOCATION 0
DEVICE
A PROFILEAm PROFILEAN
PROFILEA0
PROFILEBm PROFILEBN
PROFILEBo
PROFILEcm PROFILEcN
PROFILEco
PROFILEDm PROFILEDN
PROFILED
[00209] As an example, for water control device C, which may be Urinal XYZ No.
123 there are
three different mode related profiles stored depending on where the urinal is
installed (i.e.
located). For example, if Urinal XYZ No. 123 is commissioned at location N,
then PROFILEcN is
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used in the methods described herein. If the urinal is decommissioned and
installed elsewhere
(e.g. location 0, then an alternative profile may be used (i.e. PROFILEco).
[00210] In this way, accurate profiles may be applied to different water
control devices
dependent on the water control device and/or its location.
[00211] It will be understood that profile tables may be specific to product
types of water control
device, e.g. urinal, toilet, shower, tap etc.
[00212] It will be understood that a combination of the herein described
profile tables may be
used to produce individual profiles based on any combination of mode of
operation, location of
the water control device, type of water control device etc.
[00213] An example of the herein described methods being used where the water
control
device is a tap, shower, bath, bidet, water heater system or water cooling
tower is now provided.
In this scenario, the tap, shower, bath, bidet, water heater system or water
cooling tower may
have a defined volume of water that it can use before it is automatically shut
off in accordance
with the effective operation of the tap, shower, bath, bidet, water heater
system or water cooling
tower. The system may therefore monitor one or more water operation values
associated with
the tap, shower, bath, bidet, water heater system or water cooling tower to
determine how to
adjust the operational parameters (e.g. how a valve is operated) to provide
the defined volume
of water.
Industrial Applicability
[00214] The arrangements described are applicable to the building management
systems
industries and particularly for the sanitary facility management industry.
[00215] The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present
invention, and
modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the
scope and spirit
of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.
[00216] In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means
"including principally
but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting
only of". Variations of
the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly
varied
meanings.
CA 03181133 2022- 12-1
